Duke Energy

Downtown drivers can expect Seventh Street to be down to one lane between Main and Walnut streets starting Monday, due to electric utility work for the streetcar project.

Main Street is also being reduced to one lane between Sixth and Seventh streets. There will be no left turn on to Main Street from Seventh and motorists are advised to get to Main Street via Sycamore to Sixth Street.

The lane closures will last for about a month, said John Deatrick, the project executive for the Cincinnati streetcar project.

Duke Energy is farming out its gas meter and line inspections. Spokeswoman Sally Thelen says that means someone new could be knocking on your door. She says customers shouldn't be alarmed to see a contractor show up to read and inspect meters.

A new green space is coming to the Cincinnati riverfront. Duke Energy is donating nearly a half million dollars over three years to add a garden to Smale Riverfront Park.

Spokesman Blair Schroeder says the plan is create a 'front porch' feel to the city.

"In addition to the lush gardens and large trees, you're going to have your walking paths, you're going to have granite sea walls and, of course, the park will also have large, oversized, family-sized porch swings that are suspended so visitors will have a front row seat to the scenery that passes along the Ohio River."

The president of Duke Energy says the company will not provide a construction schedule for moving its wires and pipes for the city’s streetcar project until the two sides reach a deal on an operating agreement.

Julie Janson expressed her concerns in an October 10th letter to City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr.

Janson said the operating agreement must allow the company to have immediate access to equipment during emergencies and enough time to resolve any issues.